The Story of Software

 Sebastian Stadil, CEO at Scalr, talks about his experience navigating through the undulating tech sector, and the changing fortunes of the cities that have served as the backdrop.The Guest - Sebastian Stadil, CEO at Scalr:Sebastian Stadil is the Co-founder and CEO of Scalr, a San Francisco-based cloud computing company specialising in automation and collaboration software for Terraform. Sebastian is also the founder of SVCCG, Silicon Valley's second largest user group, and sits on the cloud advisory boards at Google and Microsoft. He has been developing products and services that leverage AWS and other cloud providers since 2004.Entrepreneurship, Growth, and Fundraising in Today’s Tech Sector:What are the unique dynamics of tech entrepreneurship in different regions, particularly comparing experiences in the Bay Area and Europe? Find out the benefits of being in the heart of tech hubs like San Francisco for networking and accessing resources and funding, emphasizing the invaluable role of in-person connections and the mindset of founders. Ultimately, we delve into the complex interplay between location, fundraising, and the growth trajectory of tech companies, offering a nuanced perspective on the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.Some of the topics covered in this episode include:The current state of the tech industry and the tech hubs that host most companiesThe future of tech hubs, in a remote-first worldUnderstanding VCs and getting access to funding Emerging technology trends that will shape the sectorListen to the Story of Software onany podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Ganesh Krishnan, Co-Founder and CEO at Anzenna, talks about all things cybersecurity, including current trends and innovations we can expect to see next.Ganesh Krishnan is the Co-Founder and CEO at Anzenna, an innovative cybersecurity startup that focuses on empowering an organisation's employees to make them more security aware. Ganesh has over 25 years of experience protecting the digital world from cyber threats, having held top-level security and engineering roles at companies like Yahoo!, LinkedIn, and Atlassian. The Future of Cybersecurity:As we navigate the digital age, new opportunities and challenges emerge at an unprecedented pace, making it crucial for organisations to stay ahead of the curve and stay protected. Find out about the current trends that are shaping the cybersecurity sector, such as the rise of generative AI and machine learning in enhancing simulations and threat detection. So, how can companies scale their cybersecurity capabilities as they grow and expose themselves to more attacks?Some of the topics covered in this episode include:The emerging cybersecurity trends that companies need to followThe rise and sophistication of cyberattacks with the use of AIEntrepreneurship and leading a tech company through acquisition and scalingThe opportunities to enhance cybersecurity as a company growsListen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Kateryna Gridina, Engineering Manager at Jodel, shares her own career journey in the tech sector, and her insights on career progression towards becoming a tech leader.The Guest - Kateryna Gridina, Engineering Manager, Jodel:Kateryna Gridina is an Engineering Manager at Jodel, a Berlin-based company building a platform that is creating a unique way for people to share and connect at a local level. Kateryna joins us to share some context about her own career journey in the technology sector, and we get her insights on career progression towards becoming a tech leader in today’s work environment.The Route to Tech Leadership:In today's technology-driven world, the role of a technology leader transcends conventional management; it embodies the essence of guidance, innovation, and strategic direction. A successful tech leader's arsenal should comprise of soft skills such as adaptability, communication, and empathy. However, we see that most of the time, successful tech people are thrust into leadership roles, without being provided the necessary training for utilising their soft skills. So, how should future leaders prepare themselves to take on such roles and excel at them? Some of the topics covered include:The right motivation and skills needed to become a tech leaderThe role of people management and soft skills in tech leadershipTraining & gaining the skills expected of a strong leaderListen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

 Matthias Heicke, CTO & Co-Founder at Sweap, takes us through his experience growing Sweap, and the effect of the recent pandemic on the events industry. The Guest:Matthias Heicke is the CTO & Co-Founder at Sweap, a Berlin-based company on a mission to provide functional and innovative software solutions for organisations who want to make events an essential part of their marketing strategy. Matthias has 15 years of experience in the software industry and has been leading teams for 10+ years.In-Person Events in the Post-Covid Era:The events industry has undergone a profound metamorphosis in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with technology emerging as its steadfast ally. As traditional in-person gatherings faced unprecedented challenges, event organizers and attendees swiftly turned to virtual platforms to bridge the gap. Webinars and online events surged to the forefront, providing a lifeline for conferences and workshops that could no longer take place in physical spaces. As the world gets back to a new normal, what does the events landscape look like today, and where does the public stand with online events now?Some of the topics covered in this episode include:The initial industry reaction to Covid-19Planning for the future of the business during unprecedented timesAchieving technological readiness to adapt to the new marketBusiness model flexibility and optimisation Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Daniella Rhodes Lorenzo, Founding Member at Toqio, joins our podcast to talk about her experiences in growing her career and business.The Guest - Daniella Rhodes Lorenzo, Founding Member at Toqio:Daniella Rhodes Lorenzo is a Founding Member and the Director of Strategy and Innovation at Toqio, a fintech platform ​that gives companies the ability to create and launch fully branded banking or finance solutions as apps or on the web. Daniella has over 10 years of experience in the tech industry, and has been leading & growing software teams for the majority of her career.Growing A Tech Company From The Ground Up:Embarking on the journey of building a tech company from the ground up can be an exhilarating adventure that promises both challenges and rewards. There is a delicate balance between adopting a growth mindset and not compromising on your company culture and productivity. Let’s say it all goes well and now you are at the point of scaling a business; how do you approach growth and how do you structure a tech team that can maintain efficiency while growing? Some of the topics discussed in this episode include:How women in tech have to navigate the leadership landscape Growing a technology-focused business from the ground upHow to structure the tech team when scaling a businessThe challenges and opportunities that come with a large funding roundListen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Daniel Gebler, CTO of Picnic, joins our podcast to talk about the intersection of tech and business teams and how to optimise collaboration across departments.The Guest - Daniel Gebler, Founder & CTO, Picnic:Daniel is the Chief Technology Officer and Founder of Picnic, the world’s fastest-growing online supermarket. Daniel has vast experience working across leadership roles leading engineering teams, and is currently responsible for the product and technology roadmap at Picnic. He also holds an MBA and a PhD in Computer Science. Enabling Cross-Departmental Collaboration:Enabling collaboration between business and software departments in a company is crucial for achieving optimal results and driving innovation. Such collaboration ensures that software development aligns with the strategic goals and objectives of the business, leading to the development of software solutions that meet the specific needs of the organisation. But how is that alignment achieved? Which actions should companies take at the organisational and cultural levels to enable their teams?Daniel joins us to discuss the intersection of tech and business teams, and how to optimise the collaboration between these departments. Some of the topics covered include:What are the necessary skills to work at the intersection of tech and businessThe effects of scaling on leadership at an organisational levelActions and values that can foster collaboration among teamsThe reverse mentoring methodListen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Daniel Flax, Head of Sales & Distribution Technology at MassMutual, joins our podcast to discuss the ever-growing role of technology in the financial services sector.MassMutual is a Fortune 500 life insurance and financial services company founded in 1851. The Impact of Technology in Financial Services:Technology plays a pivotal role in the financial services market, revolutionizing the way we manage money and conduct transactions and trade. With the advent of mobile banking, online trading platforms, and advanced analytics, technology empowers individuals and companies to have greater control over financial services and make informed decisions. But as technology continues to evolve, what new possibilities and disruptions will it bring to the financial world? How will emerging technologies shape the future of financial services, and what impact will they have on businesses and consumers alike?Some of the topics covered in this episode are:The latest technological disruptions in the financial services industryPotential risks to look out for in the finance space in the near futureMacroeconomics dependency and the effects of Covid-19 Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Nikolaos Tsanakas, Head of Software Development at Digital Automotive, shares his extensive experience in setting up DevOps teams practices, particularly for small and medium enterprises. Nikolaos is the Head of Software Development at Digital Automotive, a Munich-based company providing a strategy and sales management platform focused on the growth of automotive suppliers. Nikolaos has extensive experience in setting up DevOps teams practices, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. How To Set Up Successful DevOps Practices DevOps emerged as a response to the inefficiencies and bottlenecks created by traditional software development models. Recognizing the need for improved agility and collaboration, forward-thinking companies started integrating their development and operations teams, giving rise to the DevOps movement. However, we have witnessed many companies failing to set up successful DevOps processes and creating more bottlenecks for their teams. So, what constitutes a successful DevOps approach and which traps should companies avoid?Some of the topics covered in this episode include:What does an optimal DevOps structure look like The difference between DevOps structures in an SME vs a large enterpriseWhen to start your DevOps journey as a companyListen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

David Gregor, CTO at Denizen, shares his experiences in building and nurturing a healthy company culture in remote teams.David Gregor is the Chief Technology Officer at Denizen, a Berlin-based company helping companies monetize unused office space by providing flexible workspaces for teams and individuals. David has over 10 years of experience in software engineering and he specializes in finding effective and efficient ways to meet business and customer needs. Creating A Sense of Company Culture Remotely:Let’s be honest, the concept of a strong ‘company culture’ has been hard to grasp for some companies, even before the remote work revolution. So, it should not come as a surprise that many companies are struggling to create a sense of unity and retain their talent in today’s market. Some of the topics we cover in this episode are:Failure and success stories in setting a company culture remotelyShould culture be changing with the team and times or stay constantHow to avoid creating silos within teamsHow to deal with issues of performance in remote teamsListen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Alan Gleeson, CEO and Co-Founder at Contento, joins us to discuss how to compete in a market with well-established competitors, and the journey he is on with scaling his own company. Alan has extensive leadership experience and is passionate about helping Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies scale. Competing In A Crowded Market:Standing out in a crowded market has grown to be a tough challenge in today's fiercely competitive business environment. As there are more companies than ever competing for customers' attention and loyalty, businesses must use targeted strategies to set themselves apart from the competition. Of course, there are many considerations to be taken into account for different businesses in different locations or industries. In this podcast episode, we try to understand how competition differs across different value propositions, and talk about different scaling strategies in a crowded market. Some of the questions answered in this episode are:Should a crowded market scare off entrepreneurs from entering a specific space?What are different strategies companies can deploy to set themselves apart?How can you gain customers’ trust when you enter a mature market with well-established competitors?Are there differences in the culture of competition across different countries?Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Toby O’Rourke, CTO at FundApps, joins us to discuss his experience in scaling software teams in a short period of time.Toby is the Chief Technology Officer at FundApps, a software company providing automated compliance monitoring services to some of the world’s largest asset managers, hedge funds, and investment banks. With over 15 years of experience in software engineering, Toby has led agile teams and most recently designed consumer-facing, high-volume, transactional systems for the online cash gaming industry.What does scaling a business mean?Scaling happens across different intervals. You might be scaling your team's size or the number of services you offer. You might also be scaling your number of customers, which would require you to scale your teams in order to meet the demand.If not done right, scaling can cause more harm than good. Without proper strategies and communication, many companies lose their culture as well as their team’s trust. In this episode, we look into ways to avoid such setbacks, and answer questions such as:What are the different scaling models companies can follow?How can companies ensure their approach to scaling is responsive to change?What can be done to protect a company’s culture while scaling fast?Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Roland Tritsch from Community.com shares his insights on leading remote software teams and how to get remote working right.Roland is the Senior Director of Engineering at Community.com, a Santa Monica-based company redefining the way in which brands communicate with their customers via text. Roland is an experienced Senior Executive with a proven track record of building, transforming and leading high-energy, distributed, and culturally diverse technology organizations.Remote Working and Software Teams:When it comes to choosing the right mode of work for your developers, there is a wide spectrum of options, but #RemoteWork is making its stamp on modern software development teams. In this episode, we talk about leading software teams and how to successfully implement remote working in your company. We try to answer questions such as;- What is the ideal working environment for a software engineer today?- Are fully onsite jobs still a thing? Is the hybrid model better, or fully remote jobs for the win?- What are some general misconceptions about remote work?Needless to say, picking the right model alone isn’t enough. Whether your developers are onsite or fully remote, keeping engagement and retention high is the key to success. So, how do you go about it?Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Artem Kalaitan, CPO at Getvisibility, joins us to discuss best practices in Data Security and recent innovations in this space. Artem is the Chief Product Officer at Getvisibility, a leader in AI and Machine Learning for the classification, discovery, and protection of unstructured data. Artem is a domain expert in cybersecurity and data protection with years of experience in cybersecurity forensics, conducting investigations for government agencies, medical institutions, financial, insurance, and many multinational companies.Data Security in 2023 and Beyond:Data security remains a crucial concern in 2023, as the amount of sensitive information available continues to grow exponentially. With the rise of IoT and AI, there are now more avenues for cybercriminals to access valuable data, resulting in record numbers of regulations being pushed down on companies by governments. So, how are companies coping with this evolving landscape and how can software bridge the gap between regulations and actual compliance?The topics covered in this episode include: The main problems companies are facing in terms of their data securityBest practices to follow in data security Implementing a ‘healthy’ data security strategy across different industriesThe recent innovations in the data security spaceListen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Jim Brandt, CTO at Best Practical Solution, joins our podcast to talk about the benefits and the future of open-source software within the tech industry.Jim is a highly experienced product manager and tech leader. He is currently the Chief Technology Officer at Best Practical Solutions, a company developing an open-source Request Tracker for Incident Response (RTIR), ticket, and incident-tracking software. Jim shares his insights on the role that open-source software plays in the world today, and its future in software development.Ins and Outs of Open Source Software Development:Open source software has many advantages, such as being free to use and modify, and allowing for collaboration, transparency and customization. In theory, it makes developers better in handling complex interdependencies and finding a common ground with the wider open source community. However, what happens if the open-source software in question is adopted by a huge corporation with lots of resources and they start pouring in their developers’ time into it? How can we make sure that an open source software is not monopolized?  Some of the topics covered in this episode include:The reasons behind the mistrust towards open-source softwareThe security risks and secure development approaches to open-source librariesThe benefits of having open source software developersThe involvement of major corporations in open source software developmentListen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Marco Ziccardi from Doctolib joins us to talk about scaling software teams, and the importance of keeping your team engaged in that process.The Guest: Marco Ziccardi, Director of Engineering at Doctolib:Marco Ziccardi is the Director of Engineering, Security & Privacy at Doctolib, an innovative healthcare company providing solutions to care teams. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, Marco builds and leads teams that use technology for commercial impact. Scaling Software Teams Successfully:As a company grows, the needs and expectations of team members start to evolve with it. From structural changes to how individuals fit into the overall team - there is a lot for companies to continuously optimize. So, what are the key elements you need to get right as you scale a software team? Some of the topics we cover in this episode are;The requirements for scaling a team successfully, based on the size of the teamThe importance of engaging employees for the success of a teamEmployee engagement strategies in an all-remote worldWhat future software teams may look like beyond remote workingListen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Sagar Patel, VP of Engineering at Ampla, joins us to discuss how engineering leaders should manage growth, productivity, and culture in software teams.The Guest: Sagar Patel, VP of Engineering at AmplaSagar Patel is an experienced technology leader with a demonstrated history of building and managing high-performing product and engineering teams. Currently, he is the VP of Engineering at Ampla, a New York-based company empowering founders and operators to grow their businesses through accessible capital.Engineering Management and Productivity:Whether you are a CTO, VP of Engineering, or an Engineering Manager, there are certain aspects of team management that remain common. Ensuring engineering goals are aligned with the business goals, warranting that team members understand their roles and responsibilities, and most importantly, keeping their engineers engaged and motivated during times of change.In this episode, we talk about the principles of good engineering management, as well as the common mistakes that tech leaders make in the face of major change, such as high growth or down-scaling in software teams. Discover:How to make the right decisions when it comes to growth and hiringBalancing engineering and business needsCommon mistakes tech leaders make during the hiring processHow to communicate and manage change within engineering teamsListen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Sebastian Lau and Jack Godau from Doctorly join us to talk about the evolution of digital healthcare and recent technological advancements in the sector.Sebastian Lau and Jack Godau are the CTO and CDO at Doctorly. Doctorly provides all of the digital technology, tools, and support, via a single system, for a doctor to efficiently and digitally manage their practice. They also enable patients to access, control and understand their own health records and data via their fully integrated doctorly health app. Digital Transformation in Healthcare:Today, everyone is turning online or to apps to handle important aspects of their lives such as careers, personal finances, and investments, so why not healthcare? The rise of digital transformation and the growing demand for healthcare in the post-Covid world has created a need for a more modern and efficient patient management process. With the use of technology, medical practices can offer digital services and provide faster results to their patients. From online scheduling and examination, to digital data management and instant sharing between practitioners, applications of digital healthcare are limitless. But, what is the actual speed of innovation in the healthcare industry worldwide, and what does the future behold? Some of the topics covered in this episode include:The recent technological developments in the healthcare sectorThe technology gap in patient and data managementExpected innovations in digital healthcareListen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Brian Kelly, VP of Engineering at AppMap, joins us to talk about code security from best practices to main vulnerabilities.Brian has over 25 years of experience in software, with 20 years of experience managing and scaling engineering teams both locally and internationally. His areas of expertise include cybersecurity, SaaS, DevOps, microservices, and distributed systems. He has led the development of a number of products in the security space across companies such as Flipdish, CyberArk and currently AppMap.Quality & Security Problem Detection:With our lives moving online in the last decade, the value of what can be stolen or hacked has risen exponentially. This leads to a very high pressure on software and service providers to develop systems with zero vulnerabilities against such attacks. Sadly, in most of the cases, such vulnerabilities are only discovered once the code runs in real time and interacts with different parts of the system. But, what if we could detect security vulnerabilities in real time as our developers code? Some of the topics covered include:How security issues are created and can be detected before releaseThe major security threats that organizations faceEarly detection and prevention mechanisms to leverageGuiding development teams to uphold securityListen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Francesco Dominidiato, CTO at Casavo, shares his insights on the path to becoming a tech leader & the experiences one needs to gain along the way.Francesco is the CTO at Casavo, a company redesigning the experience of selling and buying homes by leveraging proprietary technology in each step of the transaction process. Francesco shares some context about his career journey in technology & how successes and failures are both a key part of the story.Failing is The New Winning:Whether you are growing from an individual contributor role to a manager or you are joining a team as an appointed new leader; how can you gain the necessary skills to lead your team to success? What is a good synthesis of success and failure that allows leaders to learn lessons taught nowhere else?Some of the topics covered in this episode include:Challenges faced early on in a tech careerThe past and future career paths for technologists and engineersBaking failure into the culture of a businessThe past and present startup ecosystem in ItalyResources:Within this episode, you will find mentions of reading resources which we are linking here for ease of access:https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fabiomaffioletti_engineering-leadership-remotework-activity-6988540179133177857-zm8z?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktophttps://whimsical.com/resources-for-engineering-management-2Jut7BVjoSyBXgB8fBVeHdhttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x4nIhYXvxdWK03I5qcZ5UAG3eOG5L8ugmbLSLtGvMNk/edit#gid=0Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com

Stefan Avramtchev is a Leadership and Agile Coach with 20 years of experience in software engineering. He specializes in coaching software development teams, and individuals going through a switch in their careers. He joins us today to speak about coaching people entering a managerial role for the first time. From Individual Contributor to LeaderBy this stage, we are well aware that a successful leader is someone who influences people to achieve their goals and continue to strive within their role in the team. However, it’s often the case that top-performing engineers find themselves being promoted to tech leaders or software development managers, and this transition doesn’t always go so smoothly. The transition from being the go-to person related to technical matters to all of a sudden starting off with step 1 of management can be incredibly challenging. So, what can people making that transition from an engineering role to management do to give themselves every chance of success? Some of the topics covered include:What makes a good leaderThe challenges of the initial transitionHow to deal with egoFeeling unsupportedIt’s one thing being the best engineer on your team, and it’s another being someone who can help others fulfill their potential. When we think about the challenges around these transitions, what are the things that you've seen? “They have to understand that they need to grow, they need to develop, they need to tame their ego, and they need to start appearing as a leader. So, showing vulnerability and all these other things that we just mentioned is important. Another thing is the problem with authenticity, the fear and the lack of safety that they experience in the face of shortcomings and in the face of challenges that they haven’t tackled. Essentially dealing with questions that they don't have the answer to…..These people have invested heavily in their careers, they are used to being the go-to people for technical matters in the team, and now they have to abandon that. They have to go to square one of management. So that's not easy and they need support and encouragement for that.”Listen to the Story of Software on:Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Deezer, & any other podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com